Magill drove his vehicle with four passengers into the Pelly River near Ross River in July 2012. Magill and three passengers were able to get out and onto shore but 16-year-old Katelynn Sterriah was trapped inside the vehicle.

The court heard from family members of Sterriah. Her aunt told the court 'Her death was almost my death.'

Sterriah's father Michael Metcalfe said Katelynn was the warmth in his heart.

The family is furious that Katelynn's best friend, a 17-year-old at the time, originally told police she was the driver to spare Magill a jail sentence.

Magill told the court he was sorry for laying blame and sorry for killing Sterriah.

The judge accepted a joint prosecution-defence submission. With credit for time spent in custody awaiting trial, Magill has 10 months left to serve.